Nihaya, Naharah, and Princess from Marinaut and Rororagus – Saguiran Evacuation Center Nihaya (22), Naharah (27) and Princess (18) were interviewed together. Princess and Naharah were blood relatives while Nihaya is a Bachelor of Elementary Education student in Marawi City. Nihaya shared that she decided to evacuate as she felt that the firefight is already intensifying. With her boardinghouse in Marinaut, she is almost at the center of the conflict. She wanted to leave because of the bombing and she felt the situation has deteriorated, she felt she’d die if she stayed, she narrated: “Gusto ko talaga umalis dun kasi grabe yung bomba, parang feeling mos kasi na mamatay ka na! wala nang bukas! Kasi grabe yung bomba at putukan tapos yung mga tao umiiyak na parang feeling mo talaga ma trautruma ka pag naka-alis ka doon.” She rode the motorcycle of her cousins in getting out of Marawi on the 24th of May. She was the first to leave followed by other members of her family and extended family. For Naharah and Princess, they walked from Marawi City to the Saguiran EC on the night of the 24rd May. They decided to leave as they could hear bombings. While they are far from the center of the firefight, they are afraid of the bombings. One is never sre where they would fall. Nihaya agrees and said “ Di ba yung bomba di mo masabi san babagsak … ay pangarap pa kami sa buhay.” The three shared their mixed emotions during flight – the fear, the sadness, and even the absurd desire to laugh. They said they never thought that a prolonged conflict like this would happen in Marawi, they never thought they would end up walking 7 kms in the dark, carrying their belongings, fleeing a conflict. Asked of their needs, the women emphasized the need for cash in ECs, they needed cash for little things they needed but are not part of the relief goods. They complained of the quality of rice, of the repetitious supply of noodles and sardines, the clamour for culturally and religiously appropriate clothes, and even as simple as clothes that fit. While there were hygiene kits provided at the start, they also run out, the women have been in the EC for almost two months already. They also reiterated the need for tents, foam, thermos, and a television set for the EC so that they will be able to hear the news and would have something to entertain them and the children in the ECs. They also shared the different diseases and illnesses they have observed in the camp, most common are cough, fever, diarrhea and skin allergies. They said a child already died in the EC, while the other young children died in the hospital having been suffering from prolonged sickness and malnutrition. One of the stories shared by the women is the prevalence of domestic violence in the EC. They said it is not uncommon to hear husband and wives quarelling and shouting, and some escalated to physical violence. They shared one episode where the husband, because of jealousy kicked, slapped and beat his wife. Another IDP intervened, yet he too was punched by the husband. It was only upon the intervention of the PNP that the beating stopped and even then, no case was filed and he couple remained and lived together in the EC. Asked if they liked being called “bakwit,” the women said they do not want to be called “balwits” that it is embarrassing, that it is as if they are stripped of their dignity. They’d rather be called internally displaced persons (IDPs). Asked of their message for the president, Nihaya said the President should have immediately visited the ECs after the conflict, he should have visited them and see for himself their situation and their condition. She said he should not have made that most recent rape joke with the soldiers. The women hoped that a year from the conflict, as soon as possible even, they could already return to Marawi, rebuild their lives, and find employment. They are looking forward to the help that the government promised. 53